GHSF Daily's Chip Saye ranks the most surprising and notable games of the weekend:
*1. Jackson 31, Westside (Macon) 29:Jackson has been under the radar, playing in a region with Westside and Peach County teams that have been ranked most of the season. Now the Red Devils are 4-1 (3-0) and contenders in 2-AAA. It was the first loss for Westside (5-1, 3-1), which was projected as a 16-point favorite by the computer Maxwell Ratings.
*2. Newton 37, Tucker 20:Newton, a 12-point underdog, picked up its first victory against Tucker in six all-time meetings and emerged as the front-runner in 2-AAAAAA, although it still has an important date with Lovejoy on Oct. 23. Tucker beat the Rams 57-21 in 2014. The Tigers (3-3, 0-1) haven't lost more than three games in a season since going 6-5 in 1999.
*3. North Hall 31, North Oconee 0:North Hall made the playoffs nine times in 12 seasons (2002-13) before slumping to 2-8 in 2014 and losing three of its first four games this season. But the Trojans (2-3, 1-1) are back in the playoff hunt after a lopsided victory over a solid playoff contender that came in as a 15-point favorite. North Oconee won 42-6 last season.
*4. Warner Robins 21, Evans 19:Warner Robins, a 22-point favorite, narrowly escaped becoming the first member of 2-AAAAA's "big four" to lose to one of the region's other six teams. Houston County, Northside (Warner Robins), Jones County and Warner Robins are 16-0 and have outscored opponents by an average of 40-7 when not playing each other.
*5. Alcovy 15, Lakeside (Atlanta) 12:Lakeside (3-3, 0-1) appeared in position to challenge for its first playoff berth since 1997, but this loss to a previously winless Alcovy team in the 2-AAAAAA opener will be difficult to overcome. Alcovy, projected as an eight-point underdog, broke a 17-game losing streak, winning for the first time since Nov. 1, 2013.
Also of note: Brooks County beat Berrien for the 23rd consecutive time, but it was much tougher than expected. Brooks was projected as a 21-point favorite but escaped with a 28-27 victory in a 1-AA game. ... Cedar Shoals broke a school-record 15-game losing streak with a 20-3 victory over Heritage of Conyers, which fell to 0-6 for the first time since 1987. Heritage beat the Jaguars 18-13 last season. ... Central Gwinnett is 4-1 for the first time since 2006 after a 25-6 victory over Dacula. Central Gwinnett and No. 2 Grayson are the only unbeaten teams in 8-AAAAAA play. ... Haralson Countycame in as a 16-point underdog but ended an 11-game losing streak with a 35-13 victory over Our Lady of Mercy, which won 48-0 when the teams met last season. ... Northside (Columbus) improved to 2-0 in region play for the first time in school history with a 31-28 victory over Harris County, which was a 16-point favorite. Harris County won region titles two of the past three years but is 1-4 this season.
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